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ST: Independence - "Cui Bono"

Well, what I'm asking is, what episode or movie states that?
None that I am aware of, but it has been explained in the books, which is why I said it was likely that this could be Lore.

I agree with just about everyone else that Nechayev sounds awfully fishy. Regarding Lore, I'm curious to know what book(s) described his fate? I just checked Memories Alpha and Beta and it didn't say anything about that. In any event, even if he was in the stardrive according to a book its not canon, and Dnoth can use him if he wishes.

I would think that Starfleet would want Lore to study. I can't see them risking losing both Soong-type androids if something would happen to the Enterprise.
 
Yeah, wouldn't they have gotten Lore off the ship and into the waiting hands of Commander Maddox?
 
I am terribly sorry for keeping you all in suspense for this long. I do apologize. However, I have not been productive at all when it comes to writing lately (obviously). :vulcan:

I do have explanations outlined. It's just a matter of putting it to paper.

Again, sorry.
 
Coming from someone who until recently had been banging his head against the unyielding wall of Writer's Block for the better part of a year... no worries. :)

We'll be waiting to read your stuff whenever you get it posted.
 
Ok, my motivation is back. I feel inspired again. After six months, it's time to get on with this. If any readers are still out there, expect new story posts this week. I promise...if I don't...I don't know...call me bad names or something. :klingon:
 
It's good to hear you're about to return to writing and posting. Just take your time. No pressure to post this week. Just do it when you feel ready to jump back in. But I am looking forward to reading more Indy adventures.
 
Ok, I wanted to give everybody a quick refresher of what's going on in this story before I continue.


  • A man named Clayton Easton is "rescued" by Indy from a ship that may or may not be there. Aurelia is wary of him and locked him in the brig. There is evidence both to support his story about being chased by 31 and that he is lying.
  • Indy is ordered to assist in finding a cure to an illness affecting a pre-warp race known as the Vuke. They are velociraptor-like humanoids. They are a matriarchal race. Alpha Kudal is their lead healer. Prima Alpha Johem is their queen.
  • Windslow contacted the Enterprise to defeat 31's interphasic cloak. The Enterprise has been helpful, Data even showed up.
  • Some admirals admitted to Picard that Federation vessels utilize cloaking devices.
  • Indy made first contact with the Vuke and began helping then, however, Johem -- and the rest of the race are very untrusting. Vuke vessels now surround the Indy. Vuke weapons are inferior, but Indy is vastly outnumbered.
  • Enterprise discovers communications with Indy has been blocked.
  • Data is out of sorts.
  • Indy detected a ship nearby using a phasing cloak, via detecting choniton particles, but lost it.
  • Faltyne discovered the documents condemning Easton could've been faked.
  • Admiral Nechayev hailed. She claims to be on the cloaked ship. She ordered Aurelia to beam over Easton and Data. She says both of them have been working with the Counter-31 group.
  • Aurelia reluctatly agrees. The cloaked ship, even when decloaked uses stealth technology. It will decloak in a moment for transport...
 
CHAPTER 12

Supplemental
USS Independence, Main Bridge
H’Kan System

It seemed unnatural somehow to Aurelia. She wasn’t used to feeling this tense with the lighting on the bridge being so bright. It would feel more comfortable to her if the bridge lights were dimmed and red lights were pulsing. She gently caressed the button on her armrest that would initiate combat stations. She knew something was wrong, but she didn’t have quite enough information to act on it.

Bin Nadal reported evenly from mission ops, “Data is on his way to the brig.”

She glanced again at the control, “Understood.”

The Andorian counselor strode onto deck one with a purpose. She stopped squarely in front of the center seat. She was breathing as if she had been running, “The documents…the documents about Easton, they were faked. I can prove it.”

This got everyone’s attention on the bridge, particularly Karim’s. He left his station to stand closer to the conversation.

Aurelia remained seated. “How can you prove it?”

An indicator sounded from the communication console. Ensign Lyrix turned to face the command officers, “Ma’am,” she said, “I have an incoming message. It’s garbled, but I think it’s from the Enterprise.”

Aurelia stood. The others faced the main viewer as well. “On screen.”

The violence of the crackle on the channel almost made them flinch. There was little on the screen except distortion.

Kimula immediately aided the young ensign in clearing up the transmission. A few seconds later, Captain Picard was on the screen, though the image still wasn’t ideal. It seemed Picard was using one of the aft science stations on the Sovereign-class bridge to communicate.

“Cap…reli…an yo…ar me?” came from the Enterprise captain.

“Just barely. We’re attempting to clear it up.”

“Captain, are …ware of a jammi…ignal orig…ting from your lo…tion?”

Aurelia looked back to Kimula, “What does he mean a jamming signal? We’ve been getting regular communications, right?”

Ensign Lyrix was wise enough to relinquish her seat to the more experienced officer. Kimula manipulated the console. “He’s right. There is a jamming signal. I’m surprised they were able to cut through it.”

Karim preempted Aurelia, “Why didn’t we detect it?”

The Andorian didn’t look up from her controls, “It’s very isolated. On a bearing of 201 mark 67.” She looked back, “The exact bearing of the Enterprise.”

The image on the screen got slightly better. Picard continued, “We ar…ly able to break throu…he interferen…ue to ingenue… of …mander Data.”

Aurelia’s brow crunched up. “If Commander Data was aware of the jamming signal, he should have reported it to me.”

Perhaps the Enterprise captain misunderstood, due to the poor transmission. He rejoined, “…port to you? I don’t understand, captain.”

Aurelia was given pause. She elaborated, “You sent him here to help us.”

“I’m afra…ere must be a mi…munication. Comma…er Data is sitti…ext to me.”

As if to emphasize the point Commander Data’s image joined his captain on the screen. The two shared a deep look of concern. They obviously had the same idea. Picard urgently said, “Capt…urelia, listen to me, you must…” The communiqué ended abruptly.

Kimula reported, “Whoever is doing this has reinforced the jamming signal. There’s no getting through, now.”

“Captain,” started bin Nadal.

But she didn’t need anymore prompting. The other shoe she was waiting for had dropped. She jumped into action. “Intruder alert!”

The bridge lighting dimmed and a klaxon sounded. Now, she felt more in her element. She went on, “Bridge to Faltyne, apprehend Commander Data. Use all necessary force.”

Supplemental
USS Enterprise, Main Bridge
Sector 18945

As soon as the screen went black, Picard swooped around to the helm. “How quickly could we reach the Independence’s location?”

Data spoke up while the young helmsman was still doing calculations, “We are 52.03 light-years away. At warp nine, it would take 12 days, 12 hours, and 46 minutes to reach the H’kan System, sir.”

Riker stood from his station and approached them, “We won’t be able to help them, captain.”

The C.O. nodded in agreement. He turned to Data, “Identify the nearest ship to the Independence and open a channel.”

Supplemental
USS Independence, Main Bridge
H’Kan System

Aurelia could see it clearly now. This faux Data was sent to get Easton and bring him back to Section 31’s waiting hands. But, she had seen their plan in time. It wasn’t too late and by god, 31 will not get away with it again. She would see to that. A simmering rage now drove her. “Aurelia to Faltyne.”

“Faltyne here.”

“Lieutenant, he’s going to the brig. Use every resource you have to stop him.”

“Aye. Faltyne out.”

Karim suggested, “I should help them.” He began for the turbolift.

“No,” ordered the captain coolly. “I need you to man tactical. The second that ship decloaks, throw everything we have at it.”

“But, what if it really is…” he began.

She anticipated his comment, “That wasn’t Nechayev, Karim. It’d be a simple trick to use a holofilter to make it look like her.”

The first officer thought for a second and concurred with her. He brought up another matter, “But if they use stealth technology as well…”

“Tang,” Sintina bellowed to her science officer, “It’s your job to give bin Nadal a target. Got it?”

The Asian officer made eye contact and a nod. He couldn’t help but think to himself that her tone implied an addendum to her sentence – ‘…and if you don’t, I’ll bring hell down upon you.’

Sintina returned to her chair. “Power weapons.”

Now from behind her, bin Nadal cautioned, “Ma’am, the Vuke might interpret that as hostile.”

Aurelia had nearly forgotten about the fleet of primitive ships around them. There was no going back now. “That’s the chance we’ll have to take. I’m not going to let them get Easton without a fight.”
 
WHOA! I was COMPLETELY not expecting that! Now we have to find out if this is Lore, or B-4, and if Section 31 got hold of one of them...
 
Thanks for the comment, Nerys Ghemor. Also, thanks to everyone reading.

*****

CHAPTER 13

Supplemental
USS Independence, Deck Seven
H’Kan System

The Data impersonator exited the turbolift. The brig was on this deck. He began walking down the corridor. The distinctive sight and sound a forcefield being established happened. Data smirked slightly. ‘So predictable,’ he thought. The android tapped his combadge, “Computer, initiate program ‘Escape Alpha.’”

The entire deck lost power and fell into darkness. A moment later emergency lighting illuminated everything in a constant, red, dim light. He continued to the brig.

As he rounded a turn, the false Data came face to face with a three person security contingent. The first man didn’t even have a chance to react as Data grabbed his head and gave it a horrendous twist. The crunch of bone and flesh gave no doubt that the man’s neck was broken. The security officer fell on the deck like a lifeless side of beef.

The second crewman pulled her phaser only to have it smacked out of her hand with so much force that her hand nearly left her arm. Mercifully, she didn’t have much time to feel the pain; as the android palm-struck her nose into her brain.

The final officer, Petty Officer Cheveyo Runningfox, managed to fire but the android avoided it with remarkable agility. Immediately, Runningfox did a backward barrel roll; desperately attempting to stay out of Data’s reach. To his credit – and surprise – the Pueblo man avoided a grab. The second attempt, however, wasn’t fast enough.

The impersonator had Runningfox by the neck. The android held the grown man with an outstretched arm. The petty officer was gasping for air. The artificial hand around him felt like a vice. It took all the effort he could muster to get out, “Data, why?”

The android seemed annoyed at the reference. He brought the Independence officer mere centimeters away from his face. The counterfeit Data said with intense resentment, “I won’t tolerate being called that one more time! It’s not my name!” He smashed Runningfox’s skull against the bulkhead before walking over the corpses and resuming to his destination.

Supplemental
H’Kan II (The Vuke Homeworld), DivinePalace
H’Kan System

The interior of the Divine Palace was adorned with gold trim and elegant walls that seemed to made of a pearl-like substance. The ceilings were high and its grandeur was heavenly. It was by design, of course, the ruling elite had done everything they could to convince the populace that they were nothing less than demigods.

Prima Alpha Johem glided into the war council chambers in the palace. The room defiantly had the feel of a military command center. Monitors on multiple levels were manned by mostly female Vuke with tan scales and colorful feathers. Her golden scales and white plume both impressed and intimidated the Alphas in the room. Heads immediately bowed as the demigod entered.

“What is the situation?” Johem asked.

A female with mostly purple feathers reported, “Prima, the foreigner ship has increased its power output significantly. We believe they are preparing to attack.”

The matriarch boomed, “Prepare our fleet for battle!”

The large chamber erupted with kowtowing shouts and applause.

Supplemental
USS Independence, MainBridge
H’Kan System

The Persian first officer informed Sintina, “The Vuke ships are beginning to lock on to us.”

Aurelia damned Section 31 in her head again. She was totally exposed and surrounded. She doubted the Vuke would standby and let her attack the stealth ship. The moment she launched her attack on it, the Vuke would lunch an attack on her. She couldn’t come up with any easy solution. There was a chance… “Aurelia to Zo’Kama.”

“Yes, captain.”

“Get a hold of someone in the Vuke hierarchy. Explain the situation to them. Tell them our fight isn’t with them.”

There was a short silence. The Arkonian was probably slack-jaw wondering how in the hell was she supposed to do that. A bewildered, “Aye, Zo’Kama out,” was the rejoinder.

Supplemental
USS Independence, Deck Seven
H’Kan System

Another security officer rushed at the android. The Data duplicate didn’t even break his stride as he ripped out the man’s throat out.

“Computer, begin program ‘Escape Beta,’” he ordered.

Supplemental
USS Independence, MainBridge
H’Kan System

An indicator sounded behind the captain, from the tactical station. She knew what that sound meant. It coincided with a torpedo launch. She stood and turned, “Karim, what are you doing!”

“I didn’t fire any torpedoes!” He desperately jabbed at the controls. He looked at her, “I’ve lost weapon’s control. The computer is running an automated attack program. I can’t stop it!”

Both focused on the main screen. They were just in time to see a shimmering red photon destroy one of the Vuke destroyers.

Aurelia’s stomach sank. Her mind went black for a moment. She said, almost casually, “Shields.” Then, she repeated with her full command voice, “Shields!”

Karim reported, “At full power.”

Sintina’s head spun. Had she been tricked again? She refocused and tapped a control on her armrest, “Windslow, what the hell’s going on? We’ve lost weapon’s control.”

“I know. We’ve also lost power on deck seven.”

She shouted at the ceiling, “I want weapon’s back, now!”

“I’ll get on it.”

She looked at Karim. There was a hint of something in her eyes. Bin Nadal wasn’t sure if he’d ever seen it before in her…it was fear.

She shared her concern, “The fake Data had open access to the ship. God knows what systems he could have tampered with.”

Supplemental
USS Independence, Holodeck One
H’Kan System

The tan-scaled Arkonian pleaded with her Vuke counterpart. “You must believe me, we have no hostile intent. We think another ship followed us into this star system.”

Alpha Kudal looked off screen for a moment. Someone handed her a report. She growled menacingly, “You almost managed to trick me, foreigner.” Then, she held up a piece of paper in alien writing, “Then, how do you explain this!”

“What?”

Kudal shouted, “You have destroyed one of our ships! I should have known better than to trust you! How dare you lure us into a false sense of security by offering aid to us! You are now dead to me, Zo’Kama. May your flesh rot.”

The holographic image ended.

The Arkonian’s shoulders slumped. “It can’t be true.” She exited the grid more confused and dejected than when she went in.

Supplemental
H’Kan II (The Vuke Homeworld), DivinePalace
H’Kan System

Johem overlooked a gallery of military displays and monitors. She saw a feed of the destroyer going up in flames. “How many ships are on location?”

“Thirty-eight: 2 destroyers, 2 frigates, and 34 fighters,” an advisor reported.

The matriarch looked at a replay of the explosion. It was being broadcast on every inter-planetary channel. Right now, Vuke all over the star system were being enraged at the sight. She declared, “Begin the attack! Avenge our fallen!”
 
Aha...I think I know who this impersonator is. And WOW, what a way for everything to go to hell in a handbasket QUICKLY! Here I'd thought we'd have a nice, leisurely story about cultural discovery. Nope! :cardie:
 
That's pretty darn ingenious of the Data impersonator (Lore?) to take control of Indy's weapons and instigate a battle with the already antsy Vuke. I genuinely feel for Aurelia and company who have to watch helplessly as they are being dragged into a conflict against their will.

This is not going to end well, methinks.

Great stuff and good to have you back and writing again.
 
CeJay--I have a different theory about the Data impersonator. I think it's B-4. The key is the line about not being able to stand being called "Data" anymore--as though this one has not been treated as his own person despite the memories he may be carrying...
 
Could be. But I think this story takes place before Nemesis, not sure if B4 was around then.
 
Excellent segments. Strong return and back to form Dnoth. You've really got Aurelia in a pickle so it going to be interesting to see how she salvages this situation. Plus, it will be interesting reading how she copes with her fear.

As for the Data impersonator, I think its Lore or a heretofore unknown Soong-type android. Or it could be a non-Soong android made to look like a Soong android. Though my money is on Lore.

For just a second, I wondered if it could be B-4, with the whole Romulan aspect of the story with Easton, however B-4 never showed much intelligence or deep calculation. Plus, he doesn't have a burning hatred of Data. Why would he care if he was compared to Data, and truly, how many people would he have encountered pre-Nemesis that knew Data?

The attitude and cruelty are more in line with Lore. Lore working with S31, or using them to further his own agenda makes more sense. In any event, the idea of a rogue Data running around a starship is very scary.
 
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